Venture capital is a financing source for early-stage, innovative startups with solid growth potential. Besides, it is a private equity and a financing avenue employed by investors to fund small businesses that look poised for significant future growth. Investors who participate in this investment are called venture capitalists.

Technically, venture capital is private equity-like growth capital, buyout, and fund of fund. The distinction of venture capital from these other private equities is in the age of the business where venture capital involves investing in an early-stage startup. In contrast, growth capital is given to an established, growing company, and buyout comes later in a partnership business (Cote, 2021). The transaction involved in venture capital is that the venture capitalist will give the company a certain amount of seed money in exchange for a percentage stake of the company.

Moreover, investors find venture capital to be inherently a risky investment. Most startups that investors put their money into are just ideas at the point of pitching, and they have not proven their ability or turned a profit. However, like any other investment, return on investment is never a guarantee, though when startups turn out to be the next big thing, often venture capitalist mints billions of dollars in profit for their investments. Besides, concerning venture capital, venture capitalist only takes minority stakes in the startup business alongside other venture capital investors (Block et al., 2019).

Additional information on venture capital is that it provides finance for the business and can grant expertise to entrepreneurs. A recap, venture capital is different from other private equities in terms of the company’s age. Whereas other private equities will invest in mature companies, venture capital will invest in emerging startup companies with long-term growth potential. Also, they can help these startups to raise funds through rounds of Series A, B, and C.

Reference

Block, J., Fisch, C., Vismara, S., & Andres, R. (2019). Private equity investment criteria: An experimental conjoint analysis of venture capital, business angels, and family offices. Journal of corporate finance, 58, 329-352.

Cote, C. (2021). How to Get Into Private Equity. Retrieved 24 April 2022, from https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/how-to-get-into-private-equity

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As an entrepreneur, there are several ways that you can find investors to fund your startup or get financing for scaling up your business. Also, it is good to notice that you can attempt to make your operation so lean and your product to be so great as an entrepreneur. Still, you cannot avoid the need for more money either for expanding or getting it as financial leverages (Cremades, 2018). Besides, having sufficient funds to get you to your next milestone in your business is vital to health and reaching the business’s full potential. Some of the ways that you can find investors for your business include:

1. You can look for investors in your community. Besides, you can leverage your networking opportunities that include industry associations, meet-ups for your industry area, co-working spaces, toastmasters and specialized affiliation groups that are part of your community. This networking can enable you to find investors and help you o develop a relationship that can support your financial goals.

2. Numerous websites allow investors to contribute to investment opportunities that inspire them through crowdfunding. As an entrepreneur, you can seek donations through crowdfunding by offering equity. Through this approach, you are directly going to the investor without bothering the middle man. If your idea grasps an investor, you could potentially raise cash while creating brand awareness.

3. Participating in Incubator Events. Participating in incubator events is another way of finding investors. Accelerator programs can help you get funds for your business and access to mentors that can motivate you to push on in your business (Cremades, 2018).

4. Pitch Night Event. Being an entrepreneur requires that you attend most business events since it will help you gain visibility and present your ideas in front of potential investors. Also, most investment groups host pitch nights and attending them helps you find investors.

5. Search for Angel Investors. You can look for groups that support business as angel investors to find investors that will support your business early on.

Overall, finding investors require that you pitch for investors and move beyond your immediate contact where you will gain exposure. Therefore, undertaking the various steps mentioned above will help you to find potential investors who will support your business.

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What is an SBA 7(a) Loan? How Do I Apply

7(a) loans are typical loan programs that U.S. Small Business Administration provides to businesses with special requirements. It is notably the best loan for businesses when real estate becomes part of the purchase. Still, businesses can also use it for short-term and long-term working capital, purchasing furniture, fixtures and supplies, and refinancing current business debts. The maximum SBA 7(a) loan that businesses can seek is $5 million, and eligibility depends on what the business does to generate its income, operation area of the business and credit worthiness history.

You can apply for SBA 7(a) loan when you are operating a small business as defined by the SBA, and your business is operating for profit. Besides, eligibility includes one business operating intending to operate within the United States, and you have good invested equity. Also, you can be eligible if your business has used alternative financial resources, including personal assets, before seeking financial assistance, demonstrating the need for the loan and your business requires the funds majorly for sound business purposes. When your business certifies these requirements, you can apply for the loan by gathering all essential documents; then, you work with your local lender to start the process within the SBA guidelines (U.S. Small Business Administration, 2022). You will proceed to complete SBA Form 1919 and submit it to the SBA participating lender. Also, the application process includes a background check that you will satisfy by completing SBA Form 912, a statement of personal history and SBA Form 413, which contains the personal financial statement aspect. These will help SBA and other stakeholders to assess one’s eligibility. Moreover, you will have to submit a profit loss statement and projected financial statement to prove your ability to repay the loan. Other requirement includes a business license or certificate, resumes and business lease. Fulfilling all these requirements will guarantee you to get SBA 7(a) loan.

Reference

U.S. Small Business Administration, (2022). 7 (a) loans. Retrieved 23 April 2022, https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/7a-loans

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